I have been a private school parent for over 20 years. We're pretty big contributors, having given a 7-figure capital campaign gift. I have never once, not ever, emailed the HOS.

It’s inversely proportional to the amount of money donated. If you’re staff, best you’ll get is a phone call from her assistant.

On the rare occasions I've contacted our HOS (K-8), he's responded promptly, within a day.

Uh, I have never emailed our HOS. She shouldn't be spending time on email for any material volume of parent questions as a general matter. If I have something to say, I'd probably set up a time with her assistant to meet with her or maybe give her a heads up in person that I need to send her something by email (so she doesn't think I'm crazy)? I honestly can't imagine a situation where I would need to email her directly though.

Less than 24 hours.

It depends if you are on the board or need a favor called in. Then immediately! If you're not on the board, a week is fine. If they respond earlier they are not busy enough. Signed a board member.

I have no idea, my DC is in high school and I have never once in their entire educational journey so far had a need to email a HOS.

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the context. And how often are you emailing the HOS?

This.
If OP is at a K-8 or lower it is more common for the HOS to be actively involved with parents but even then HOS emails should be reserved for unique situations. Most often division heads will be able to answer the question or hear the concern. I think max of 2 work days is standard practice to hear back.

Anonymous wrote:HOS recently announced a new policy that she will aim to "return emails within the same week as received." WEEK?! Former HOS generally operated on a 24 hour turn around. I haven't needed to email HOS for any reason this year, but that timeline seems ridiculous to me.

If you email your HOS, when do you normally get a response?

This is the only real argument for paying HOSs so much money. Putting up with parents like OP.

But then, the HOS is at least partly responsible for admitting parents like OP.

Depends on the context. And how often are you emailing the HOS?

Anonymous wrote:I have only needed to email division heads but it's always been within 24 hours, usually less.

Division head is not the HOS.

I don't think I'd get a response to a random question from our HOS, to be honest. From division head, within a couple of days.

That does seem like a low bar, but perhaps many of the emails she receives involve some research, thought and conferring with others before providing a meaningful response. Could that be what she is talking about?

I have only needed to email division heads but it's always been within 24 hours, usually less.

Within 24 hours.

HOS recently announced a new policy that she will aim to "return emails within the same week as received." WEEK?! Former HOS generally operated on a 24 hour turn around. I haven't needed to email HOS for any reason this year, but that timeline seems ridiculous to me.

If you email your HOS, when do you normally get a response?